The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-25

Philadelphia. Wilmington & Baltimore road be-
came a part of the Pennsylvania system no
passes were issued over it except to the chief
officers Of other railroads. Even the President
or the United States was required to pay his fare
One day the private secretary to the President
who had been travelling over the road for some
months as mem Der of the railway mail service,
was introduced to an officer of the road who hap
pened to be on the This officer got out at
Wilmington, and admonished the conductor to
take good care of the gentleman The conductor
at once informed his superior that the private
secretary OF the President, if it was he, was
fravenng under false pretenSes clerk in the
railway mail service pass. The official of
the road was astounded at the disclosure, and
instructed the conductor to question him, and if
the supposltion was discovered to be true to
take up his pass and demand his fare. If any
res istance was made to the demand, the private
secretary of the President of the United States
was to be put off the like any tramp Or dead
beat The victim fell into the trap The con-
ductors questions were truthfully answered the
pass confscated, the fare paid. and the pass
was forwarded to the Postmaster general with
protest In the name of the president of the
railroad. 1t was long time before another
sucn pass was issued. and the practice has never
oeen renewed rs extensively as it formerly was
But, notwithstanding this, it has been easy
enough for government officials to secure free
transportation, and the prohibitory provision of
the new law strikes pretty hard in this locality.
within the last few days the holders of annual
passes have received printed invitations to sur
render their cards of compliment From the
| Presidents family down to the most obscure
| holder of these favors there has been no dis
| elimination. The Senators who remain in
| Washington, and the Congressman, have been
notified to surrender their passes before the 1st
| OF April, after that day no one will be al
| lowed to ride free, and every one who can ar
| range to leave for homo before that date will
| take his last free ride.
Inc railway managers seem to take fendsh
delight IN recalling the compliments that have
| been extended to the statesmen who voted for
the bill, and Senator Cullom is in receipt of cir
| cuiars IN which interlineations have been made
| OF personal character One railroad running
| out OF Chicago. over which he has never had a
| pass. sent him circular, which returned at
| once with appropriate and sarcastic comments.
| The Senator sent back six ANIMALS Yesterday,
! and In each letter of transmittal thanks are
rendered for past favors which the Senator says
| he cannot accept again. Some of the passes
| Culiom returned have not been called for, bu,
| he emptied his pocket-book and made clean
| sweep Senator Palmer is one of the few mem
bers Of either house who has not accepted passes
| and he has had the pleasure of returning notices
| that have been sent him with some entertaining
observations. Senator Henderson of Nebraska
| is still here, having just returned from Florida
| and has returned ali his ANIMALS except those ht
wants to use on his way home, whittier he starts
| on Friday.